Morocco and Algeria will meet Saturday in the third-place match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with both sides looking to finish their campaigns with a bronze medal.
The match at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat comes three days after both teams suffered semifinal defeats.
Morocco lost to Cameroon on penalties after a 0-0 draw, while Algeria were beaten 3-1 by Malawi.
For Morocco, the game offers a chance to end a difficult week on a positive note.
The hosts had hoped to reach their third straight WAFCON final but fell short against Cameroon.
Coach Jorge Vilda said his players had recovered from the disappointment and were focused on winning the bronze medal.
“The players have regained their balance and are now resolutely concentrating on the third-place fixture,” Vilda said.
He added that the team wanted to show “great mental strength” and finish the tournament with a victory.
Morocco have already beaten Algeria 1-0 in this tournament. Sanaa Mssoudy scored the winner in the 84th minute of their Group A meeting on 30th July.
Algeria, however, will hope for a different result this time.
A bronze medal would still represent a strong finish for a team that reached the semifinals before losing to tournament surprise package Malawi.
The match also gives both teams another chance to end the competition on a high after missing out on the final.
Morocco and Algeria will kick off at 6 p.m. local time in Rabat, with a place on the podium at stake.
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